Another zoo trip-Columbian Park in Lafayette

We went to the Columbian Park Zoo in Lafayette to celebrate Elizabeth having a mini-break after getting a first draft of her dissertation done. Here are some pictures, starting with the barn animals, although the school children next to us seem to be getting Sydney's attention more than the camera.We pet all the goats and as they moved around she wanted to pet them again as if they were a new goat, the video below shows they are cunning as well as soft.




The very cool prairie dog exhibit is harder to get into and out of than it might look but gave a great view.
Getting a different view of the emu.
The wallabies were somewhat interesting...
But not as interesting as the gravel walkway in the Australia exhibit.
Yes, emus are not very attractive.
Sydney got a good view of the Bald Eagle.

And here is a close-up, with feather attached to beak and everything.
We hit up the playground afterwards, before some ominous clouds rolled in.
This goat literally started eating my shoelace while Sydney and I were petting it. She enjoyed this part, and this same goat started eating the zipper on my raincoat while it was hanging over Elizabeth's arm a little later.

The sea otter's were a highlight and Elizabeth had some timely camera work while we were watching them.

Fun in small places

We have managed to have some fun with Sydney in our small apartment while Elizabeth is doing a great job being very pregnant and working on her dissertation. Here is a break for all of us. This went on for about 10 minutes.

Sydney Birthday-Take 3 & 4

Sydney is blessed with many people that sent some beautiful cards and gifts from a distance as well as some great friends here in IN that were up for sharing yet another celebration with her the day after her zoo trip. Not all card and gift opening is featured but we assure you that she loved every minute of it, is still looking at her cards that are hanging in her sleeping quarters in the new apartment, and would be happy to rekindle the celebratory spirit when she sees everyone in person. She woke up each morning of the weekend with us singing Happy Birthday, and Sydney promptly replied, cake!, ice cream!, or blow out candles! All set for the beach, or Citi Field, with her new rash guard from Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kate.
After the zoo a quick stop to Dunkin Donuts made for a munchkin style cake.
Flaming halved chocolate munchkins all around and in a 2. Food network better watch out for this one.
You get the idea that she is becoming a pro at blowing out candles.
"I am so happy that I am moving to the east coast and can eat munchkins whenever I want, Cheers!"
All done and looking like she will slyly ask for more.
Tutus and baseball hats, together at last, courtesy of her friend Julie.
Fluffy, foofy, and fun. Any other glitter and glam adjectives to add?
Sydney wasn't able to catch her Grandma and Grandpa on her birthday with her hectic schedule, so they left a voice mail that she really enjoyed. The video below shows the action.

Her friends Megan and Josh gave her a balloon that is still dazzling her in our new apartment today,

This is the, man this celebrating stuff can be exhausting pose.
One last round of the birthday anthem to cap off the weekend. Sydney couldn't stop herself from joining in.

Sydney Birthday-Take Zoo

Sydney's official birthday included a trip to the Indy Zoo. She was awestruck by the animals and all of the people and seemed to enjoy the experience. Her favorites included the penguins (which were picked as a stuffed animal memento from the gift shop), feeding a giraffe, and the dolphin show (too dark for pictures).The request at the elephant pool from Sydney was to go in the water, we chose to just pose from a distance. It was a sunny day, so a dip would have made sense.
Giraffes before the feeding.

What a seat for the gibbon show!
She seemed to really like to feel the actual piece of the underbelly of a tiger's coat.
Syndey may be thinking, don't know who is hairier, the polar bear or the man holding me?
The other kids were almost as exciting with their yells as the sea lion swimming by.
There was a lot to soak in.
A king penguin having fun swimming against the current coming into their habitat.
Sydney was impressed enough that the penguin was chosen over a walrus and dolphin as the stuffed companion home.
The face of amazement says it all while watching the flamingos and lemurs. This was early in the trip and she continued to be awed by the animals, and was brave enough to offer up some sweet potato for the giraffe.

M

In between celebrations, and the day before she turned 2, Sydney decided to flabbergast us with her intellect by biting off pieces of a pretzel and then proceeding to hold it up while saying ”M for Mommy”. Elizabeth had a cow and yelled at Joshua who was on the phone and was equally impressed that the pretzel was in the shape of an M. Both of us tried to recreate it ourselves and it took a few attempts, we are in trouble!

Sydney's Birthday-Take 1

Sydney has enjoyed the continued celebration of her 2nd birthday. The first celebration took place when her Nana and Papa were in town. Needless to say subsequent celebrations were expected to include cake and ice cream. (see video below)

Spring Fest

Sydney's Nana and Papa came to visit her this weekend. They also helped us with our pre-move. I did some work on my dissertation while I unleashed the three of them on Spring Fest/ Bug Bowl. It was a big hit! Sydney was not all that impressed by the cows (she seemed more impressed by the tent...)


but she did enjoy seeing the piglets, er, swine...

and sheep!

With a little help from Papa, she got to touch a chick.


Then she tried on the chicken cutout for size.

After that it was time to check out the rocking horse (looks real, doesn't it?)

Signs point to she liked it.

She got a turtle painted on her face.


Then they hit up the Bug Bowl part.

Sydney was not phased as she held the horned caterpillar...and the caterpillar inched away unscathed thanks to some strategic hand placement on Nana's part.

The balloon was a big hit.

Here's the happy trio back at the house.